Saxophone



' Tolthis end, I would statethat all saxo-' Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT iaaazia @FFECE.

HARRY J. WATERS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SAXOPHONE.

Application filed September 17, 1924. Serial No. 738,229.

instruments, but has specific reference to anovel saxophone.

In order ithat'persons not particularly-familiar with instruments of this class may obtain a clear comprehension ofthe present invention, I- am going to allude br efly to the conventional saxophone of the present day.

phones, so far as I know, fronr the bass up to the soprano,- are-fingered' substantially alike, the range of tone usually extending from low B-flat to high-F. The thumb of the left hand of the performer rests on a button adjacent an octave key, while the corresponding finger of the other hand engages beneath a hook on the'tubing of the instrument. With the hands thus placed, the fingers are positioned over the valves and their operating means. 'Thus, without bodily shifting or-rotating the hands, all valves, with the exception ofthe side keys operated by the first finger of the right hand, can be operated up to and including high C-sharp.

Now, inorder to open the remaining valves at the top of the tubing, the left hand must be bodily shifted fromits natural .position so that thelpalm of this hand and the inner ends of the fingers can be used. There are three individual valve levers at this point, one being pressed to produce the tone high-D, two keys being pressed simultaneously to make the tone Dsharp. High-E re quires the same valves being openand an additional valve operated by the filSt finger of the right hand. Making high-F requires all three of the top valves to be opened together. Obviously, when rapid passages in music are encountered requiring shifting of the hands and simultaneous opening of the several valves, smooth playing cannot be enjoyed by the ordinary performer.

I do not propose to change the system of fingering. As a matter of fact, it is a feature of my invention to retain, as far as possible. the customary fingering. What I aim to do, is to eliminate the usual individual levers ordinarily actuated by the left hand and to provide a mechanism which will control the four highest tones from the fingers of the right hand. With my arrangement there is absolutely no shifting of the hands. They r main at. all time; in their .natural positions so that the fingers may actwith precision. That a smooth and even tone can be had with this arrangement, cannot be doubted.

More specifically speaking, I propose to provide novel:operatmg means for the four valvesused for producing the four highest tones. on the instrument, the operating means being controllable from'the valves operated by the fingers of the right hand, and particularly that valve which is operated bythe fiist finger of the right hand. The

' arrangement is such that the valves operated by this hand may be utilized for obtaining tones in both registers. stead of obtaining only the middle-D and low-D with the valves of the right hand, they may be utilized also, with the same fingering, for obtaining high-D also. This is a vital-point of importanceuporiwhich emphasis should be laid.

The structure provided for carrying the invention into effect is exceedingly novel and positive in operation, and it naturally possesses numerous features and advantages. However, these features and advantages will not be outlined at this time but will appear as the description goes on.

There is another important feature of the invention which I wish to refer to at this time and this is the inclusion of a normally open G-sharp valve. I amaware of a marketed saxophonewhich possesses this feature, but all other saxophones, so far as I have been able to ascertain, provide mechanism wherein the G-sharp key is normally closed.- To the skilled and trained ear, the closed valve arrangement is bad in that it affects the intonation. making the tone A out of tune and also affecting other tones.

\Vith my arrangement, the G-sharp valve is normally held open by spring means and it acts in conjunction with the G-natural valve so that when the scale is being ascended or descended, the C-sharp valve will automatically open and close at the proper time. In the marketed saxophone to which I have referred, a supplemental tone hole and valve are provided for accomplishing the'results that I have, without requiring these supplemental parts.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout: the HHHPF-Z For instance, in-

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Figure 3 is a detail plan or elevation of the D-sharp valve and its operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is adetail fragmentary side view partlyin section showing the arrangement of the spring for rotating the sleeve which .mct-uates valve controlling pa rts.

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--Fig. 5 is "a similar .view taken on the broken line.-5 5- of-Fig. 2,,showing. the arrangement of thespring which actuates one of thevalve shafts.

. Fig.'6-isa transverse-sectional view taken on the broken line 6'-6 of Fig. 2 to further illustrate .the arrangement of the aforementioned springs and the parts actuated thereeferring to the drawings in detail, the reference character, 1 designates the conventiofnal-tubing or body of the instrument whic'h -is provided with the longitudinally spaced nemhohsfl. As isusual, a multiiplicity-fofvalvesand operating shafts and eys act in conjunction with thes'eton'e holes for prgducing the various tones of the scale. The saicophone has a range of tone extending from loweB Eat to high-F natural as before stated. '-F or the sake of clearness, I am designating thetones produced by the several valves see'n in the drawing. To avoid confusion however, I have followed this practice only in Fig. 1.

The improved mechanism which -I employ comprises .in the main a rotatably mounted shaft 3 which I am going to designate as the. master shalt. Observing Fig. 2 it will be seen that this shalt 3 is connected at its upper end to the valve (1) natural). At this same end. the. shaftis connected to a U-shaped portion 5 which is rockably mounted as shown and which underlies the extensions (3, 7 and 8 of the valves 9 (high- F), 10 E natural), 11 (D-sharp). respectively. .At.jts lower end, the shaft '3 is provided with a cranlc arm 12. The free end of this arm rests slidably on an arched or arcuate arm 1'3 which is connected with a sleeve '14 rotated by a spring 14 attached at one end to one of the sleeve supporting posts 14;",the free end of the spiing bearing against a short crank arm 14 on the sleeve as clearly. shown inI ig. 4 of the drawing. At this point, I wish to direct attention to the fact that the spring 14 which acts on the arm 13 serves to normally hold the latter up, that is in a direction awa v from the body of the instrument. Now, the shaft 3 is provided with an individual spring 12 which acts on the t'l':|ill( arm as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and.6 ofthe drawing to rotate this shaftin a direction from right t o'left and i to swing-the valve 4 to open position. The

spring acting on the sleeve 14 however, is very strong and ov'rbal'ancs the spring last mentioned and counteracts the same so as to normally hold the valve 4 closed. The -F-valve is provided with an extension 15 which overlies the free end of the arm 13 for a :purposeto be liereinafter-made:ap-

parent. Disposed -on theright hand side of the shaft 3 is anothershaft 16, this being connected at'its upper end Zto the. valve extension 6 and being provided atits-lower endwith a laterallyextending ar'n1-1Twhid1 underlies amexte'nsion. or finger 18 on the E valve, on thelower -p'ortion=of the inst-rug ment. Disposed-:o'nthe v:opposit -side of the master shaft- 3 is a further :-.sh'aft 19 which is connected at itsnipp'erfend tothe valve extension -7 and.:-isi provided. at=;its' lower end with --a -era'nk. arm 20-,= ;the free end of which? Eunderlies an extended finger.

22 on the low-D valve. .'Next:.'t0t ithe'shaft 19 is another .shaft'23 this s'haft'being trig-- idly connected -at it's'a1pper .end. to the valve extension 8.and being :provided'atits'; lower end with a laterally! directed :portidn 9A= carryin'g a sleeve 2521; ilAb'uttin :the' sleeve 25 is another sleeve 26 to-aivhi'cha finger piece 27 is connected; in Figs. 2 and- 3 more clearly, the fingei'piec'e 2-! --is-equip'pd -mally swing the valves which they operate toopen position or in "a direction from right to left.

Assuming that the instrument is idle, it will be seen th'a'trthe arched arm 13 will act to rotatethe shaft-3 in a direction from left to right against the tension of the individual spring 'witlrwhich .the shaft 3 is provided. In so doing, the -U-shaped-.part 5 will be lifted, simultaneously engaging the valve extensions 6,. Tand Sand closing the several valves 9, lOand 11 and tagminst'the tensions of their springs. \Vith the parts in this pcsitiOnQthe tones will be produced in the usual way, the improved mechanismanot interfering with the production of lo\vD, middlel), etc. Here, I might-direct attention to the fact that the portion 31 (already existing on llie presentday saxophones) underlies an extension on the U-shaped part 5 as seen more clearly in Fig. 2.

Now, so long as any one H finger-piece 27. The

of the fingers of the left hand is down, this part 3l refuses to allow the U-shaped pait 5 to rock in a direction from right to left. Hence, the high tones are inoperative until the fingers of the left hand are lifted off of the keys. As-soon however, as all ofv the fingers of the left hand is raised, the springs already existing move the part 31 away from the part 5, permitting the latter to operate freely. Assume now that the three fingers of the right hand are down on the valves vF, E and D. It is obvious that when this takes place, the finger serves to press downwardly on the free end of the arm 13, mov ing it toward the body of the instrument and at thesame time moving-it away from the crank 12 on themaster shaft 3. As soon as this happens, the master shaft under the selectively operated. Since the shaft 3 is connected with the valve 4, it is obvious that the-tone high-Dis produced. Should it be desired to produce high D-sharp, the little finger, of the right hand is pressed upon the spring 28 which bridgesthe sleeves and 26 serves to impart rotation in a direction from right to left to the-shaft23 which in turn serves to open the valve 11. To form high-E, the third finger of the. right hand is lifted up and the little finger israised if desired. Raising of the third finger releases the crank arm 20 permitting the shaft 19 which it controls to rotate in a direction to openthe valve 10. As the valx e 10 opens, it bears upwardly on the finger 30 carrying the valve 11 up too. It is essential that the last named valve open with the valve 10 so that the note will be in tune. Now, if the second finger of the right hand is raised, it will release the arm 17 and the shaft 16 thus opening the valve 9. Now, all of the valves at the top of the instrument are open and the highest tone (high-F) is formed. Thus, it is clear that with the same finger utilized for forming the tones low-D, middle-D, etc, is also used for forming the high tones high-D, D-sharp, etc. It is to be borne in mind that in order to permit the improved mechanism to operate, it is essential to lift the fingers of the left hand. As soon as any one of the valves operated by this hand is closed, it renders the improved mechanism inoperative for the time being and permits the desired tones to be formed without interference from the upper valves. The method of operation of the parts so far described is thought to be clear and a more lengthy description of this much of the invention is deemed unnecessary.

It has been before intimated that the invention also includes a unique improvement; with respect to the sha p valve. i direct attention to Fig. 2 wherein it will be seen that the G-sharp valve is provided with a finger or extension 32 which overlies a head on the inner end of a spring-lifted arm 34.

As it is't-he normal tendency for the arm 34 to move away from the body of the instrument, it is obvious that it serves to hold the valve normally open. It is to be noted that the G-valve numbered 35 is also provided with a finger 36 which overlies and co-acts with the head The valve 35 is controlled from the finger-piece marked G in Fig. 1. It is to be further noted that a needle spring 37 is anchored at one end to the arm 34 and is connected at its opposite end to the rotary sleeve 38,- Since the Gr-sharp valve is mounted on the sleeve 38, it is obvious that When-the G-natural valve is closed, it will move the finger 36 downwardly, pressing down on theshaft 34 which, through the medium of the spring 37, will rotate the sleeve 38 in a direction to close the G-sharp valve. Thus, the tone G-natural may be made without hindrance or interference from the improved mechanism. Should it be desired to form Gr-sharp when the G-natural valve is closed, the finger-piece 39 will be pressed upon by the little finger of the left hand, this finger-piece being connected to an operating rod which hasrigid connection with the sleeve 38 to rotate the latterin a direction from left to right to open the G- sharp valve.

Having set forth and arrangement of parts employed for carrying out thetw'o vitally important features of the/invention, and having disclosed the operation of each feature, I believe that a more lengthy description is unnecessary.

Before closing, I would direct attention to the fact that while I have shown a specific embodiment of the invention, I wish it to be understood that various changes in the arrangement of parts, size and shape may be resorted to, so long as the changes do not depart from the scope of the adjoined claims.

I claim l. A saxophone embodying a mechanism of the class described, said mechanism in cluding operating means for the valve utilized for producing the tone high-D, said operating means comprising a rotatably mounted shaft connected at one end to the valve and provided at its opposite end with a sleeve, a finger-piece provided with a second sleeve having its inner end arranged in abutting relation with the corresponding end of the first named sleeve, a needle spring carried by said finger-piece, and a hook carried by the first named sleeve, the free end of said spring being connected with said hook.

2. 'A saxophone embodying a mechanism of the class described, said mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted master shaft, 8.

the detailed structure I if:

ro'ckably mounted arm, a spring for forcing said arm in a direction away from the body of the instrument, a (rank arm carried by said master shaft and bearing slidably upon said areuate arm, said master shaft bein provided at its outer end with a U-shaped portion which is integral therewith, said shaft beingalso-providedwit-h an individual spring, and'a plurality of auxiliary operating shafts for co-acting valves, said shafts being engaged with and controlled by said master shaft.

A saxophoneprovided with a mechanism of the class described, said mechanism comprising a spring rotated and rotatably mounted-master sh'a'l't,'mearts for preventing rotation'ofsaid s'haft, a plurality of auxiliary and-independently Operable shafts in associ'ationwi'th said master shaft, all of said auxiliary shafts being provided with individual springs for moving the valves controlled thereby to open position.

'4. A saxophone provided with a mechanism ofthe' class'described, said mechanism comprising a 'mtatably mounted master shaft adapted to rotate in a predetermined direction, a. movably mounted arched arm exte'hding beneath said master shaft and normally moved in a. direction away from the body of the instrument to prevent rotati'ori of said mast'ers h'aft', said master shaftbeing provided at its' upper end with a U-shaped portion which is integral therewith, a'p'lura'li'ty of valves provided with lateral 'extehsionsjoverlying the bight portion of' said 'U-shape'd portion, auxiliary shafts c'ohne'cts'ed to said valve extensions A saxophone provided with a mecha-- nism of the class (lOSCl'llktl, said mechanism comprising -a rotatably mounted master shaft provided at. its lower end with a crank arm and provided at, its upper end with-a substantially U-shaped portion, a valve in eluding a lateral operating extension intograil with saidmast'ershaftg an arched'armroelv'ably mounted on the body of the'inst'rument and underlying said crank'arm, said arched arm being provided wit ;hspring means for rotating the'mast/er shaft ina predetermined direction to maintain 'said valvd nor-malty closed, a plurality of additional valves in association with said first named" valve, said valves being provided with lat eral extensions, the free ends ofwvhich overhe the hight portion of :said' U-shaped r-rtion, operating shafts extending at'righties to said valve extensions and provided 0.] 1 at their lower ends withlateralj fingers overlying the body of the instrument, (rertain of the valves at the lower end of the instrument. being provided with extensions overlying said fingers for operating the'same.-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto atlixed my signature.

HARRY J. WATERS. 

